Modular clipping system

ABSTRACT

A clipping apparatus is disclosed. The clipping apparatus connects on the Z-axis but can be activated for release on either the X or Y-axis. The system also has a self-locking mechanism on the handle to create a secure connection along the Z-axis. It is includes a first member that includes a first cavity and a first handle and a second member that includes a second cavity and a second handle. The first member and second member are mated to a spring connection mechanism and a base plate, thereby forming an opening. When the first handle and the second handle are pushed inwards, a male fitting is accepted into the opening and locked into the opening when the first handle and the second handle are released.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/850,936, filed May 21, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/904,329, filed Sep. 23, 2019, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates generally to a clipping apparatus and moreparticularly to a modular clipping system to connect to variety ofwebbing sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional bags and other devices used to carry equipment requireclipping devices in order to ensure that additional equipment that doesnot fit in the bag itself can still be carried while leaving the user'shands free for other activities. Typical clipping devices such ascarabiners do not hold items tightly to the surface, while otherclipping devices are limited to the specific types of surfaces to whichthey can attach.

There is therefore a need in the art for clipping systems that are bothsecure and modular, such that one clipping system can be used for avariety of bags and accessories with different webbing sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the modularclipping system made up of multiple parts to create a secure lockingconnection on the Z-axis, most buckles and straps connect and release onthe X and Y axis. The clipping system connects on the Z-axis but can beactivated for release on either the X or Y-axis. The system also has aself-locking mechanism on the handle to create a secure connection alongthe Z-axis.

This modular clipping mechanism is designed to connect to any sizewebbing included but not limited to the Molle or PALS webbing system toact as a quick release mechanism for pockets and other accessories. Thesystem is engineered so that the clipping components and the attachmentcomponents can be separated so as to accommodate a myriad of scenariosor situations where one might need a connection on the Z-axis includingbut not limited to connecting a pocket or accessory.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the clipping system iscomprised of a mirrored left side, a mirrored right side, a spring matedto a connect mechanism, and a base plate so that when connected itcreates a complete female end clip.

In certain other embodiments, the clipping system is also comprised of asuction cup and a peg attachment that mates to the female end clip.

In yet other embodiments, the clipping system is also comprised of amagnetic and a peg attachment that mates to the female end clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certainembodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, like numeralsindicate like elements throughout. It should be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, andinstruments shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a mirrored left side of theclipping system;

FIG. 1B is a side perspective view of the mirrored left side of theclipping system in the process of mating with the mirrored right side ofthe clipping system;

FIG. 1C is a front perspective view of the assembled clip portion of theclipping system;

FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theassembled clip portion;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of a spring connection mechanism ofthe clipping system;

FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thespring connection mechanism;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a base plate of the clippingsystem;

FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thebase plate;

FIG. 3C is a front perspective view of another alternate embodiment ofthe base plate;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the assembled base plate, theconnection mechanism, and the left and right mirrored sides of theclipping system;

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the assembled base plate, theconnection mechanism, and the left and right mirrored sides in theprocess of connecting to a male fitting or peg; and

FIG. 5B is a front perspective view of the fully assembled base plate,the connection mechanism, and the left and right mirrored sides in theprocess of connecting to a male fitting or peg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference to the drawings illustrating various views of exemplaryembodiments of the present invention is now made. In the drawings andthe description of the drawings herein, certain terminology is used forconvenience only and is not to be taken as limiting the embodiments ofthe present invention. Furthermore, in the drawings and the descriptionbelow, like numerals indicate like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1A through 1C are perspective views of components of the clippingsystem. FIGS. 5A, 5B show that can be utilized, for example, to attach afirst object (e.g., a bag such as a backpack) and a second object (suchas a trinket). The base plate 300 is comprised of the lower openings116, the upper connection points 118 formed as openings, four webbingguides 120, and a circular opening 122.

FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a mirrored left side member 102 ofthe clipping system 100. The mirrored left side member 102 of theclipping system is a curved unitary piece that is generally elongated inshape and has a first end that is formed as a handle 108 and a secondend opposite the first end. The second end has an upper clip connectionpoint 104. The left side member 102 also has a middle section betweenthe first and second ends. A spring mechanism cavity 106 is located atthe middle section.

The upper clip connection point 104 is designed to mate with the upperconnection point 118 of the base plate 300. The upper clip connectionpoint 104 and the upper connection point 118 are holes that are alignedwith each other and receive a screw, bolt, or other fastener. The springmechanism cavity 106 is situated approximately halfway down the side ofthe mirrored left side member 102 of the clipping system 100. The springmechanism cavity 106 is configured to receive and mate with the springlocking mechanism 112 (FIG. 2A). The handle 108 is situated near thebottom of the left side member 102. The top part of the handle 108 actsas a locking mechanism for the clip, as will be explained in greaterdetail herein.

FIG. 1B is a side perspective view of a mirrored left side member 102 inthe process of mating with the mirrored right side member. The mirroredright side member 102′ is comprised of the upper clip connection point104′, the spring mechanism cavity 106′, and the handle 108′.

As with the left side member 102 (FIG. 1A), the right side member 102′(FIG. 1B) has an upper clip connection point 104′ that is designed tomate with the upper connection point 118 of the base plate 300. Theupper clip connection point 104′ and the clip connection point 104′ areholes that are aligned to receive a screw, bolt, or other fastener. Thespring mechanism cavity 106′ is situated approximately halfway down theside of the mirrored right side member 102 of the clipping system. Thespring mechanism cavity 106′ is configured to receive and mate with thespring locking mechanism 112. The handle 108′ is situated near thebottom of the right side member 102′. The top part of the handle 108′acts as a locking mechanism for the base plate 300.

The left side member 102 and the right side member 102′ are configuredto mate together as shown in FIG. 1B. When mated, the upper connectionpoints 104, 104′, the spring mechanism cavities 106, 106′, and thehandles 108, 108′ are laterally aligned, as shown in FIG. 1C. Further,as shown in FIG. 1C, the mated members 102, 102′ form a opening 110. Theopening 110 is used to connect other objects or components of theclipping system and is preferably circular. The left side member 102 andthe right side member 102′ each have an arm 105, 105′ that connect thehandles 108, 108′ to the central opening 110. The arms 105, 105′ act tostabilize and support the clipping system such that it is more sturdyand can hold more weight.

FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theassembled clip portion. In certain embodiments, the top portion of thehandles 108, 108′ have guardrails 107, 107′ that help stabilize andguide the left and right side members 102, 102′ when the handles 108,108′ are pushed inwards. In other embodiments, the clipping portionfurther comprises a clip locking mechanism 109. The clip lockingmechanism slides under the left and right side members 102, 102′ andacts to further secure the assembled clipping portion of the clippingsystem.

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the spring connection mechanism200 of the clipping system 100. The spring connection mechanism 200 iscomprised of the upper connection points 114 and the spring lockingmechanisms 112. The spring connection mechanism 200 is a substantiallysemi-circular bar or rod that is curved so that the two distal ends cometogether but are separated by a gap to have somewhat of a horseshoeshape. The spring lock mechanisms 112 are small rods that extend inwardat the distal ends of the bar. The upper connection points 114 areopenings that are situated in a flat tab that extends inward and haveopenings. The upper connection points 114 are situated at the top of theconnection mechanism and are designed to align with the upper connectionpoints 104, 104′ of the mirrored left and right side members 102, 102′when assembled. The spring locking mechanisms 112 are preferablyelongated and substantially perpendicular to the body of the connectionmechanism.

FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thespring connection mechanism 200′. In this alternate embodiment, thespring connection mechanism 200′ is further comprised of one or moreconnectors 113. The connectors may be used to further secure theassembled clipping system and to better grip the inserted peg 400, whichis described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a base plate 300 of the clippingsystem. The base plate 300 is disengagable and rotatable. The base plate300 is comprised of the lower openings 116, the upper connection points118 formed as openings, four webbing guides 120, and an opening 122. Theopening 122 is preferably circular. The base plate 300 is designed tofit behind the left and right side members 102, 102′ when assembled.That is, the left and right side members 102, 102′ are rotatably mountedto the base plate 300. Once assembled, the upper connection points 118of the base plate 300 line up with the upper connection points 114 ofthe connection mechanism and the upper clip connection points 104, 104′of the left and right side members 102, 102′. The webbing guides 120extend from each corner of the base plate 300. The webbing guides 120are used to attach the base plate 300 to the webbing (e.g., a strap) ofany bag or accessory. The webbing guides 120 are configured to fit avariety of different webbing sizes.

The base plate 300 can be modified in a number of ways. As shown in FIG.3B, one of the exemplary variations to the base plate 300′ is a versionthat can be squeezed to fit underneath a 1-inch piece of Molle webbingand then reconnected to left and right side members 102, 102′ to createa secure connection to the one-inch piece of Molle webbing. The baseplate 300′ variation is made up of an upper section 123 and lowersection 124. The upper section 123 of the base plate 300 connects to theclip and the lower section 124 has two elongated arms that are separatedby a gap with an open distal end and a proximal end that is pivotallyattached to the upper section 123, such as by a hinge or the like. Thearms act like a spring that is biased outward and can be pressedinwardly toward each other to be reduced in width to slidably fit underthe webbing. The arms can then spring outward to open wider once itpasses through the webbing, to make a connection to the springconnectors and secure itself to the 1-inch Molle webbing. In certainembodiments, the arms may be thickened to provide additional stabilityand a more secure connection to the webbing.

FIG. 3C is a front perspective view of another alternate embodiment ofthe base plate 300″. In this alternate embodiment, the base plate 300″is further comprised of a base slide mechanism 126. The base slidemechanism 126 may be used to further secure the clipping system to thewebbing or other surface and acts to stabilize the clipping systemduring operation.

The base plates 300, 300′, 300″ can also be swapped out or changed toattach to a myriad of surfaces. In certain embodiments, the base plate300, 300′, 300″ may include magnet attachments, and in yet otherembodiments, the base plate 300, 300′, 300″ may itself be a magnet. Thebase plate 300, 300′, 300″ may also include additional holes along itsperimeter that may be used to permanently affix the base plate 300,300′, 300″ and the rest of the clipping system to a surface.

Referring now to FIG. 4, upon assembly, the lower openings 116 of thebase plate 300 (FIG. 3A) are configured to mate with one side of thespring locking mechanisms 112 of the spring connection mechanism 200(FIG. 2A). Preferably, the spring locking mechanisms 112 are insertedand lock into the lower openings 116. On the other side, the springlocking mechanisms 112 fit into the spring mechanism cavities 106, 106′of the left and right side members 102, 102′. When assembled, the springconnection mechanism 200 is sandwiched between the base plate 300 andthe left and right side members 102, 102′.

When fully assembled, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the left and rightside members 102, 102′, the spring connection mechanism 200, and thebase plate 300 are aligned so that a peg or other male fitting 400(e.g., a rod) may be inserted into the clip, such that both sides may beattached to webbing or other materials. The peg or other male fitting400 may then be attached to another object such as an accessory on itsopposite side. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the spring connectionmechanism 200 is sandwiched between the base plate 300 and the left andright side members 102, 102′. In certain embodiments, there may be acavity in the male fitting or peg 400 so that a magnetic connection canbe made to guide and connect the male fitting or peg 400 and the baseplate 300 with the clipping system securing the connection to increasethe weight and load tolerances. In yet other embodiments, there may be asuction cup or a magnet on the face of the male fitting or peg 400opposite from its connection to the rest of the clipping system. Thesuction cup or magnet can then be used to form a secure connection tovarious surfaces.

Once the clipping system is assembled as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, theleft and right side members 102, 102′ are locked, and the handles 108,108′ may be pushed inwards to increase the circumference of the circularopening 110, such that another element, exemplarily the peg 400 shownwith respect to FIGS. 5A and 5B, may be inserted into the circularopening 110, and then the peg 400 is locked in the opening 110 once thehandles 108, 108′ are released. The peg 400 is held in the circularopening 110 by the left and right side members 102, 102′, which act as aquick release mechanism, whereby the user need only push the handles108, 108′ together to connect and disconnect the peg 400. Exemplarily,the opening 110 need not be circular, but can have the shape of asquare, octagon, or hexagon. The peg 400 can be connected to an externalpart or accessory that can be quickly and easily attached or removed.

Various alterations in the design of any of the foregoing components ofthe clipping system may be made to accommodate a blend of materials suchas metals and plastics to increase strength and max force loads.

It is further noted that the description and claims use severalgeometric or relational terms, such as circular, arcuate, curved,linear, elongated, rounded, and flat. In addition, the description andclaims use several directional or positioning terms and the like, suchas top, bottom, left, right, up, down, inner, outer, distal, andproximal. Those terms are merely for convenience to facilitate thedescription based on the embodiments shown in the figures, and are notintended to limit the invention. Thus, it should be recognized that theinvention can be described in other ways without those geometric,relational, directional or positioning terms. In addition, the geometricor relational terms may not be exact. For instance, walls or surfacesmay not be exactly circular to one another but still be considered to besubstantially circular because of, for example, roughness of surfaces,tolerances allowed in manufacturing, etc. And, other suitable geometriesand relationships can be provided without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly,it is to be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is tobe understood that this invention is not limited to the particularembodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes andmodifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A clipping apparatus comprising: a firstmember comprising a first cavity and a first handle; a second membercomprising a second cavity and a second handle; said first member andsecond member mated to a spring connection mechanism and a base plateforming an opening, wherein said base plate is further comprised of abase slide mechanism; wherein when the first handle and the secondhandle are pushed inwards, a male fitting is accepted into the openingand locked into the opening when the first handle and the second handleare released.
 2. The clipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the malefitting is a peg.
 3. The clipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the malefitting is configured to attach to a magnet or a suction cup.
 4. Theclipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base slide mechanism isconfigured to attach to webbing.
 5. The clipping apparatus of claim 1,wherein the base plate is disengageable and rotatable.
 6. The clippingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a clip locking mechanism. 7.The clipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clipping apparatus iscomprised of plastic, metal, or a combination of the two.
 8. A clippingapparatus comprised of: a first member comprising a first cavity and afirst handle; a second member comprising a second cavity and a secondhandle; said first member and second member mated to a spring connectionmechanism and a base plate forming an opening; wherein the springmechanism is sandwiched between the base plate and the first and secondmembers; wherein when the first handle and the second handle are pushedinwards, a male fitting is accepted into the opening and locked into theopening when the first handle and the second handle are released.
 9. Aclipping apparatus comprised of: a first member comprising a firstcavity and a first handle; a second member comprising a second cavityand a second handle; said first member and second member mated to aspring connection mechanism and a base plate forming an opening; whereinthe base plate is further comprised of a plurality of webbing guides;wherein when the first handle and the second handle are pushed inwards,a male fitting is accepted into the opening and locked into the openingwhen the first handle and the second handle are released.